D’Cata Wine Shop expanding just in time for the holidays

A West Kendall wine entrepreneur is expanding the D’Cata Wine Shop, just in time for the holidays.“We’ve designed a place where people can both shop and enjoy wine parties with live entertainment, all year long,” said Hammocks resident Felix Rosario, retired from a 15-year career in beverage distribution, specializing in wines.

Rosario’s long association with a former sales representative, Ramon Munoz, led the pair to open a third D’Cata Shop in August with Munoz as co-partner, having successfully opened two such shops in Doral as D’Cata Wine Club.

“We’ve been friends in the wine business for many years, and Ramon had been urging me to give store ownership a try after he established the D’Cata name in Doral,” said Rosario, adding that “D’Cata,” comes from the word “decatar” meaning to taste or sample.

“This year felt like just the right time to begin a new career in wines, only dealing directly with customers,” explained Rosario, standing amid the handsome dark wood interior of West Kendall’s D’Cata.

Ceiling-high shelves are lined with imported and domestic wines and a halfdozen fashionable high-top tables are available for customers to sample a choice vintage, or a rare beer import.

Located in Hammocks Plaza, 11735 SW 147 Ave., the shop already has become known among local wine aficionados for Friday evening wine-tasting events.

“There’s more to come,” Rosario promised in mid-November preparing for a Jan.1 Grand Opening of an adjoining lounge with a large-screen TV and equipped to host live entertainment for socializing and special events.

“We’re going to have ‘Wheels Nights’ to attract bikers, classic cars and Jeep owners, people who enjoy getting together with those of like hobbies and tastes,” added Rosario who bikes to his 4,000-square-foot emporium just five minutes from his Oakwood home in The Hammocks.

When completed, D’Cata will include a cigar shopping area with accessories and humidors for the connoisseur smoker.

The success of D’Cata is based on having “people who have worked in the wine business and can provide answers without pushing a particular product when people ask about choosing wines,” Rosario explained.

“That’s why a veteran wine man like Armando Barba (at 69) was chosen as manager for the new D’Cata.

“Wines have always been our business but for many years; Miami was nothing but a scotch and beer town,” he said with an insider’s knowledgeable air.

“With the blossoming of South Beach about 20 years ago, we ‘got culture,’ and with it came a new appreciation for fine wine. Now, newcomers are learning how to go about making choices

“People often have misconceptions about wines so I tell them the simplest rules are the best to follow, and my Rule No. 1 is that pricing doesn’t guarantee quality.” For that reason, Rosario will urge customers to try different basic types of wine before choosing a favored taste, like that of a tangy rose or dry Chablis.

“Then, having settled on the wine, try the same wine as made in different countries. Really fine and inexpensive wines are now made all over the world, not just in France or California. Countries like Chile or Spain have outstanding wines and the fun is in the search until finding the wine and country you like best — price aside.”

With 225 different selections at D’Cata, sampling not only vintages but origins makes a search that much more enjoyable, Rosario concluded.